February 18, 2021

Anna Murray 

According to a piece of encouraging news released by the World Health Organization (WHO), global COVID-19 infection cases up to February 14 were reported a decline by 16% in the week. The UN health agency reported on February 16 the latest update of 81,000 coronavirus deaths worldwide and a drop of more than 500,000 new cases, a total of 2.7 million new cases, than a week before.

The South African variant has been spread over 46 countries, which has raised global concerns over faster virus transmission and less susceptibility to existing vaccines. The UK’s New and Emerging Respiratory Viral Threat Advisory Group (NERVTAG) indicated that there were many pieces of evidence in linking COVID-19 variants, in particular the UK’s variant, to more hospitalizations and deaths.

The UK will be the first country in the world to initiate a COVID-19 Human Challenge, funded by £33.6 million from the UK government, following the official approval issued from the UK’s clinical trials ethics body. To better understand the coronavirus affecting human beings, about 90 carefully selected, healthy volunteers aged 18 to 30 years will be exposed to the coronavirus in a safe and controlled environment. The observation in the Human Challenge will help support the COVID-19 pandemic response by aiding vaccine and treatment development.

Photo:Webshot.